Connecting your Charles Schwab account gives AI Navigator real-time access to your account data — balances, positions, and order history — so its structural reads are grounded in your actual portfolio.
This guide walks you through the setup. Estimated time: 15–20 minutes, plus Schwab app approval (usually minutes to hours).
Before You Start
MKT.TRADE Subscription
Any active MKT.TRADE tier — Day Trader (from $99/mo), Pro Trader (from $249/mo), or Institutional (from $949/mo).
Active MKT.TRADE API key, issued from your account dashboard.
Schwab Brokerage Account
Active Charles Schwab brokerage account.
Your Schwab login credentials (used during OAuth, on Schwab's own site).
Schwab Trader API — Individual access (request at developer.schwab.com if not already approved).
Schwab Developer Portal App
Developer account at developer.schwab.com.
Registered app with Accounts and Trading Production + Market Data Production enabled.
App Key and App Secret from your registered app.
Important: Read-Only Access
This connection is read-only — view balances, positions, and order history.
Schwab's refresh token expires every 7 days — re-authorize periodically to maintain the connection.
Step 1: Create Your App on the Schwab Developer Portal
You'll create your own personal application on the Schwab Developer Portal to generate the API credentials MKT.TRADE uses to access your account securely.
Sign up for / log into the Developer Portal
Go to developer.schwab.com. If you don't have a Developer Portal account yet, create one using your Schwab login. It's a separate account from your trading account but uses the same credentials.
Navigate to the Create App form
From the portal:
- Click API Products in the top navigation
- Scroll to Trader API — Individual
- Click Learn More on that product card
- Click View Apps, then the green Create App button
Fill out the Create App form
- Environment: select Production
- Select an API Product: Accounts and Trading Production
- App Name: MKT.TRADE (or your preferred name)
- App Description (optional): Connecting to a third party app
Enter your Callback URL
In Enter Callback URL(s), paste the exact callback URL shown on your MKT.TRADE Authorize page. It looks like:
Copy it exactly from the Authorize page — this is how Schwab knows where to send you after you approve the connection.
Add the Market Data API product
After creating the app, add a second API product to the same app: Market Data Production. This enables live market data for stocks, ETFs, and indices that power AI Navigator's charts and analysis.
Why both products?
Accounts and Trading Production: access to your balances, positions, and orders.
Market Data Production: real-time price data for structural analysis and charting.
Submit your app
With all fields filled and both API products added, click submit. Schwab reviews the app.
Wait for Schwab approval
Approval typically takes minutes to a few hours; you'll get an email confirmation. Once approved, the app shows "Ready For Use" in your Apps Dashboard.
Copy your App Key and App Secret
Click View Details on your approved app:
App Secret: [copy this]
Save these securely — you'll paste them into MKT.TRADE next. Never share your App Secret publicly.
Step 2: Authorize on MKT.TRADE
Now go to the MKT.TRADE Authorize page and enter your credentials. This is where MKT.TRADE vaults your Schwab app credentials and initiates OAuth.
Go to the MKT.TRADE Authorize page
Visit the Authorize Access page (linked from your account dashboard; it looks like https://mcp.mkt.trade/auth).
Accept the Terms and enter your MKT.TRADE API key
- Check the box to accept the Terms of Use
- Paste your MKT.TRADE API key (from your account dashboard Settings)
Enable "Live brokerage account data"
Check Authorize use of: Live brokerage account data (read-only). This grants permission to access your Schwab balances and positions.
Select Schwab and enter your App Key & Secret
- From the Broker dropdown, select Schwab
- Paste your App Key and App Secret from the Developer Portal
- Verify the Callback URL shown matches what you registered in your Schwab app
Never paste these credentials into chat, email, or any unsecured channel. Only enter them directly on the HTTPS Authorize form.
Click "Connect Schwab"
You'll be redirected to Schwab's secure login page.
Sign in to Schwab and approve access
- Log in with your Schwab brokerage credentials
- Review the requested permissions (read-only access to your account and market data)
- Click Authorize to approve
You'll be redirected back to MKT.TRADE. On success you'll see "Schwab connected" / "You're all set".
Click the final "Authorize" on MKT.TRADE
Return to the Authorize page and click Authorize to complete setup. Your Schwab account is now connected to AI Navigator.
Same browser session required
The OAuth flow must start and finish in the same browser session. If you close the browser mid-flow, start over from the Authorize page.
What Happens Next
- Account access: AI Navigator can read your Schwab account details — positions and balances
- Market data: with an active Schwab subscription, AI Navigator uses it to access market data
- Read-only: you can view your portfolio data, but trades cannot be executed through MKT.TRADE
- 7-day re-authorization: Schwab's refresh token expires weekly; you'll be notified to re-authorize
Troubleshooting & FAQ
Do I need a specific MKT.TRADE subscription tier?
No. Schwab connection is available on every tier — Day Trader, Pro Trader, and Institutional. If you don't see the broker connection option on your account, contact support.
Where do I find my MKT.TRADE API key?
Log into your MKT.TRADE account, go to Account → API Keys, and copy your active key. This is different from your Schwab app credentials — you'll paste both during authorization.
Why do I need to create my own app on Schwab's Developer Portal?
Schwab requires each user to register their own application for security and compliance. Your personal app credentials are what authorize MKT.TRADE to access your specific account — your data stays under your control.
Do I need both "Accounts and Trading Production" AND "Market Data Production"?
Yes. The first gives access to balances and positions; the second enables live market data for AI Navigator's charts and analysis. Both are required for full functionality.
Can I use this connection to execute trades?
No. This is a read-only connection — you can view your Schwab account data alongside Navigator's structural reads, but trade execution is not supported. Execution features may be added in a future phase.
What's this about re-authorizing every 7 days?
Schwab's OAuth refresh token expires every 7 days. When it does, MKT.TRADE notifies you. Return to the Authorize page — your saved App Key and Secret auto-fill — click "Connect Schwab" and complete OAuth again. No re-entering credentials.
Do you store my Schwab App Secret?
Yes — MKT.TRADE encrypts and stores your Schwab developer App Key and App Secret so the connection stays active and tokens refresh automatically. Your Schwab brokerage password is never collected or stored: you sign in on Schwab's website during OAuth, and MKT.TRADE only receives OAuth tokens after you approve access.
What if I get a "Could not verify this browser session" error?
The OAuth flow didn't complete in the same browser. Start over from the Authorize page and click "Connect Schwab" again — the entire flow must happen in one session.
Can I revoke Schwab access anytime?
Yes. Go to Account Settings → Connected Brokers and click Disconnect next to Schwab. Or revoke MKT.TRADE inside Schwab under Account → Security Center → Connected Apps.
How often does my account data sync?
During market hours, Schwab data updates every minute; after-hours the interval is longer. Market data is real-time for data currently available from Schwab.
Need Help?
Questions about connecting Schwab, registering your Developer Portal app, or configuring AI Navigator: info@mkt.trade.
For Developer Portal app registration, credential generation, or OAuth approval, see the Schwab Developer Portal or contact Schwab API Support.